VRC Oaks Review: What The Jockeys Said

Damien Oliver made it the Derby / Oaks double after a dominant win aboard Miami Bound. Here’s what the Jockey’s said.

Damien Oliver (Miami Bound – 1st)

It was a great effort. It wasn’t one of my prettiest rides but she actually threw me a bit before the race. She stopped and didn’t want to go into the mounting yard, I thought she wanted to go to the toilet but that wasn’t the case. Then in her prelim I got around to the 600m and she stopped again and didn’t want to come back to the gates. I wasn’t sure what was going on with her. I was a bit indecisive from the gate and got caught a little bit deep. Fortunately, I was able to get a bit of cover off the Kavanagh horse (Vegas Jewel) which took us into the straight as far as she could. She was left there (in front) a fair way out but I think she was just the best stayer in the race and she was too good. She is a strong filly and did the job well.

Darryl McLellan (Never Listen – 2nd)

Terrific run. I was rapt with the run. First time this way, up in class, couldn’t have asked for any more.

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Ben Melham (Moonlight Maid – 3rd)

She’s an aggressive filly and we had to give a bit of a start away to get her to switch off. I thought she was really gallant to the line.

James McDonald (Beauty Bolt – 4th)

She ran out of her skin. She got a lovely run. Very honest, tries hard. Lovely filly.

Ryan Moore (Gamay – 5th)

She ran ok. Probably didn’t quite see out the trip.

Jordan Childs (Vegas Jewel – 6th)

We took a punt and tried to go forward. Just couldn’t get in. She’s done a good job this prep and should be back better.

Dwayne Dunn (Presently – 7th)

She ran really well for a big (long) shot. She toughed it out nicely.

Tommy Berry (Stick ‘Em Up – 8th)

She didn’t get around the track very well. She was on the wrong leg most of the way. Once she figured it out halfway up the straight, she stayed on well.

Jamie Kah (Silent Sovereign – 9th)

Mentally she’s just not there yet. She’ll be a better horse next prep.

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Jye McNeil (Song Brigade – 10th)

Had a lovely run throughout, just didn’t stay.

Nash Rawiller (Amazing Peace – 11th)

She had a nice run and just feels a little bit weak. She might be better in the autumn; time to mature and a little real right now won’t hurt her either.

Tim Clark (Foxborough – 12th)

Got into a lovely spot. She just probably didn’t quite relax well enough to give herself a chance to run out the trip.

Michael Walker (Ocean Miss – 13th)

Nice filly just probably a prep too early.

Michelle Payne (Victory Approach – 14th)

Just when the momentum came into the race and I asked her to go the saddle slipped on her. She wasn’t too happy about that so I had to ease her down.

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